Chocolate
A Cultural Encyclopedia
Published on 30. October 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
448 pages
979-8-216-38351-2 (ISBN)
Description
A RUSA Outstanding Reference Source 2023
This well-researched work provides a useful discussion of the historical, cultural, and commercial aspects of chocolate. - Library Journal
Chocolate is nearly always with us-when celebrating or mourning, in love or alone, healthy or sick, happy or sad. This book offers a comprehensive look at how an exotic food grew to play such a central role in our lives.
No food in the world can offer as storied a history as chocolate. Chocolate: A Cultural Encyclopedia focuses on cocoa's history from ancient Mesoamerican beginnings as a symbol of ritual, life, and death, to its omnipresence in Europe, North America, and the rest of the world. In 10 thematic chapters covering chocolate in society and culture, 80 shorter entries, recipes, and a comprehensive timeline, this book takes a closer look at how chocolate has served as a medicine, an indulgence, a symbol of decadence, a door to romance, a tempting taboo, a means of survival, and a snack for children and adults alike.
Why did popes and kings fear chocolate? Why did World War II soldiers despise their rations? Who invented milk chocolate, and why was it a secret? This book uncovers surprising stories and little-known facts about the seed behind the world's favorite fruit tree.
This well-researched work provides a useful discussion of the historical, cultural, and commercial aspects of chocolate. - Library Journal
Chocolate is nearly always with us-when celebrating or mourning, in love or alone, healthy or sick, happy or sad. This book offers a comprehensive look at how an exotic food grew to play such a central role in our lives.
No food in the world can offer as storied a history as chocolate. Chocolate: A Cultural Encyclopedia focuses on cocoa's history from ancient Mesoamerican beginnings as a symbol of ritual, life, and death, to its omnipresence in Europe, North America, and the rest of the world. In 10 thematic chapters covering chocolate in society and culture, 80 shorter entries, recipes, and a comprehensive timeline, this book takes a closer look at how chocolate has served as a medicine, an indulgence, a symbol of decadence, a door to romance, a tempting taboo, a means of survival, and a snack for children and adults alike.
Why did popes and kings fear chocolate? Why did World War II soldiers despise their rations? Who invented milk chocolate, and why was it a secret? This book uncovers surprising stories and little-known facts about the seed behind the world's favorite fruit tree.
Reviews / Votes
This well-researched work provides a useful discussion of the historical, cultural, and commercial aspects of chocolate. * Library Journal * This is an excellent introduction to chocolate for students, culinary professionals, and anyone interested in the subject. * Booklist *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
Target group
College/higher education
Primary & secondary/elementary & high school
Dimensions
Height: 254 mm
Width: 178 mm
Thickness: 24 mm
Weight
833 gr
ISBN-13
979-8-216-38351-2 (9798216383512)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Ross F. Collins is professor of communication at North Dakota State University, USA.
Content
Introduction
Chocolate Chronology
Essays
Natural History of Cacao
Chocolate Conquers the World
Sweet History: Chocolate and Health
Bitter History: Slaving for Chocolate
The Spirit of Chocolate: Myth and Religion
Karl Bakkum
Putting the Sweet in Popular Culture: Chocolate and the Arts
Michael J. Stein
Politics, Exploration, and Military: Cocoa for King and Country
Preparation: Rituals, Recipes, and Poisons
Processing Cacao
Chocolate for Profit: The Business of Cacao
Chocolate-Based Recipes
Dotty Curry
Entries A to Z
Adulteration
Alkali, Alkaline Salts
Antioxidants
Aphorisms
Aphrodisiac
Aztecs (Mexica)
Badianus Manuscript
Baker's Chocolate, USA
Bean, Cocoa
Beverages
Cacao, Heirloom
Cadbury Chocolate (UK)
Caffeine/Theobromine
Callebaut Chocolate (Belgium)
Carob
Chicha (Chocolate Beer)
Chocolat, Chocolate, and Xocolatl
Chocolate Islands (Sao Tome and Principe)
Chocolate Soldier
Chocolatier (Video Game)
Chocumentary
Climate Change
Cocoa (Computer Programming Language)
Cocoa Butter
Cocoa Powder
Cocoa Shells (Drink and Garden Mulch)
Colmenero, Antonio de Ledesma
Conch, Conching
Cortes, Hernan
Cosmetics
Criollo
Dahl, Roald
Dark Chocolate
Debauve & Gallais (France)
Desserts
Dogs, and Chocolate
Dominicans (Religious Order)
Dufour, Philippe Sylvestre
Fair Trade Chocolate
Fat Bloom on Chocolate
Ferrero Rocher (Italy)
Festivals and Conferences
Flavonoids
Franciscans (Religious Order)
Fry Chocolate (UK)
Gage, Thomas
Ghana
Godiva Chocolate (Belgium)
Hernandez, Francisco
Hershey's Chocolate (USA)
Humoral Medicine
Ivory Coast (Cote d'Ivoire)
Jesuits (Religious Order)
Linnaeus, Carolus
Maria Theresa (Marie-Therese)
Mars Wrigley (USA)
Maya, Mayans
Mesoamerica
Metate
Military Campaigns and Expeditions
Milk Chocolate
Molinillo, Molinet
Nacional Chocolate
Nestle S.A. (Switzerland)
Nibs
Pandemic of 2020-2022
Pepys, Samuel
Poison
Postage Stamps
Processors
Ruby Chocolate
Slave Trade
Spanish Inquisition
Stubbe, Henry
Tempering
Tourism
Van Houten, Coenraad Johannes and Caspardus
Vegan Chocolate
White Chocolate
White's Chocolate House (London)
Works Cited
About the Author and Contributors
Index
Chocolate Chronology
Essays
Natural History of Cacao
Chocolate Conquers the World
Sweet History: Chocolate and Health
Bitter History: Slaving for Chocolate
The Spirit of Chocolate: Myth and Religion
Karl Bakkum
Putting the Sweet in Popular Culture: Chocolate and the Arts
Michael J. Stein
Politics, Exploration, and Military: Cocoa for King and Country
Preparation: Rituals, Recipes, and Poisons
Processing Cacao
Chocolate for Profit: The Business of Cacao
Chocolate-Based Recipes
Dotty Curry
Entries A to Z
Adulteration
Alkali, Alkaline Salts
Antioxidants
Aphorisms
Aphrodisiac
Aztecs (Mexica)
Badianus Manuscript
Baker's Chocolate, USA
Bean, Cocoa
Beverages
Cacao, Heirloom
Cadbury Chocolate (UK)
Caffeine/Theobromine
Callebaut Chocolate (Belgium)
Carob
Chicha (Chocolate Beer)
Chocolat, Chocolate, and Xocolatl
Chocolate Islands (Sao Tome and Principe)
Chocolate Soldier
Chocolatier (Video Game)
Chocumentary
Climate Change
Cocoa (Computer Programming Language)
Cocoa Butter
Cocoa Powder
Cocoa Shells (Drink and Garden Mulch)
Colmenero, Antonio de Ledesma
Conch, Conching
Cortes, Hernan
Cosmetics
Criollo
Dahl, Roald
Dark Chocolate
Debauve & Gallais (France)
Desserts
Dogs, and Chocolate
Dominicans (Religious Order)
Dufour, Philippe Sylvestre
Fair Trade Chocolate
Fat Bloom on Chocolate
Ferrero Rocher (Italy)
Festivals and Conferences
Flavonoids
Franciscans (Religious Order)
Fry Chocolate (UK)
Gage, Thomas
Ghana
Godiva Chocolate (Belgium)
Hernandez, Francisco
Hershey's Chocolate (USA)
Humoral Medicine
Ivory Coast (Cote d'Ivoire)
Jesuits (Religious Order)
Linnaeus, Carolus
Maria Theresa (Marie-Therese)
Mars Wrigley (USA)
Maya, Mayans
Mesoamerica
Metate
Military Campaigns and Expeditions
Milk Chocolate
Molinillo, Molinet
Nacional Chocolate
Nestle S.A. (Switzerland)
Nibs
Pandemic of 2020-2022
Pepys, Samuel
Poison
Postage Stamps
Processors
Ruby Chocolate
Slave Trade
Spanish Inquisition
Stubbe, Henry
Tempering
Tourism
Van Houten, Coenraad Johannes and Caspardus
Vegan Chocolate
White Chocolate
White's Chocolate House (London)
Works Cited
About the Author and Contributors
Index